Proverbs 14:35
Proverbs 14:35 in Multiple Translations
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
The king’s favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be against him that causeth shame.
The king has pleasure in a servant who does wisely, but his wrath is against him who is a cause of shame.
A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.
The pleasure of a King is in a wise seruant: but his wrath shalbe toward him that is lewde.
The favour of a king [is] to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!
The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
The king's favor is towards a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.
Kings are pleased with officials who do their work competently/skillfully, but they punish [MTY] those who do their work in a manner that causes the kings to be disgraced.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 14:35
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 14:35 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רְֽצוֹן
מֶ֭לֶךְ
לְ/עֶ֣בֶד
מַשְׂכִּ֑יל
וְ֝/עֶבְרָת֗/וֹ
תִּהְיֶ֥ה
מֵבִֽישׁ
רְֽצוֹן
râtsôwn
H7522
acceptance
N-ms
מֶ֭לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
לְ/עֶ֣בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Prep | N-ms
מַשְׂכִּ֑יל
sâkal
H7919
be prudent
V-Hiphil
וְ֝/עֶבְרָת֗/וֹ
ʻebrâh
H5678
fury
Conj | N-fs | Suff
תִּהְיֶ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
מֵבִֽישׁ
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 14:35
רְֽצוֹן
râtsôwn
H7522
"acceptance"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to acceptance or delight, often used to describe God's pleasure or favor. It appears in Psalms and Isaiah, highlighting God's goodwill towards us. This word is about taking pleasure in something.
Definition: 1) pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will 1a) goodwill, favour 1b) acceptance 1c) will, desire, pleasure, self-will
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: (be) acceptable(-ance, -ed), delight, desire, favour, (good) pleasure, (own, self, voluntary) will, as...(what) would. See also: Genesis 49:6; Psalms 145:16; Psalms 5:13.
מֶ֭לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
לְ/עֶ֣בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
מַשְׂכִּ֑יל
sâkal
H7919
"be prudent"
V-Hiphil
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Definition: 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly. See also: Genesis 3:6; Proverbs 1:3; Psalms 2:10.
וְ֝/עֶבְרָת֗/וֹ
ʻebrâh
H5678
"fury"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means an outburst of passion, such as anger, rage, or wrath, often describing God's response to sin. It's used to convey intense emotions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, wrath, arrogance 1a) overflow, excess, outburst 1b) arrogance 1c) overflowing rage or fury
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: anger, rage, wrath. See also: Genesis 49:7; Isaiah 14:6; Psalms 7:7.
תִּהְיֶ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מֵבִֽישׁ
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
V-Hiphil
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
Study Notes — Proverbs 14:35
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 14:35 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:35
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:35
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 14:35
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
- Sermons on Proverbs 14:35
Context — The Wise Woman
33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 24:45–51 | Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. |
| 2 | Luke 12:42–48 | And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. |
| 3 | Matthew 25:23 | His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ |
| 4 | Proverbs 22:11 | He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend. |
| 5 | Matthew 25:21 | His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ |
| 6 | Proverbs 20:26 | A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. |
| 7 | Proverbs 25:5 | Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 8 | Proverbs 29:12 | If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. |
| 9 | Psalms 101:4–8 | A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure. My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence. Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. |
| 10 | Proverbs 17:2 | A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. |
Proverbs 14:35 Summary
This verse means that when we act wisely and make good choices, people in charge will be happy with us, but if we act foolishly and make bad choices, they will be unhappy with us. This is similar to what happens when we obey or disobey God, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-2, where it says that if we obey God's commands, we will be blessed, but if we disobey, we will be cursed. By being wise and faithful, we can bring joy to those around us and honor God, just like a wise servant brings joy to a king. As Romans 12:1-2 reminds us, we should strive to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can discern what is good and acceptable and perfect, and become wise servants of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a king to delight in a wise servant?
This means that a king, or anyone in a position of authority, values and takes pleasure in having servants or employees who are wise and make good decisions, as seen in Proverbs 22:29, where it says that a wise and diligent person will stand before kings.
How does this verse relate to our lives as believers?
As believers, we are called to be wise and faithful servants of God, and this verse reminds us that our wisdom and faithfulness will be rewarded, not just by earthly authorities, but by God Himself, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24, where it says that we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward for our service.
What is the opposite of a wise servant in this context?
The opposite of a wise servant is a shameful one, who acts foolishly and brings shame to themselves and others, and as Proverbs 10:5 says, a wise child makes a father proud, but a shameful child brings grief to a mother.
How can we become wise servants like the one described in this verse?
We can become wise servants by fearing God and seeking His wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, where it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and by being diligent and faithful in our work, as seen in Proverbs 10:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate wisdom in my daily life, and how can I use these opportunities to bring joy to those in authority over me?
- How can I balance the desire to please authority figures with the need to please God, and what does Proverbs 14:35 teach me about this balance?
- In what ways have I been a shameful servant in the past, and how can I learn from those experiences to become a wiser and more faithful servant in the future?
- What are some practical steps I can take to become a more wise and faithful servant, and how can I hold myself accountable to these standards?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:35
The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant,.... Who does his prince's business well, committed to him; manages all his affairs wisely and prudently; is diligent and careful to do everything for the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:35
The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
Both to himself, by his foolish management of the king’ s affairs committed to him; and to the king, who made so foolish a choice of a servant.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
Proverbs 14:35 The king’ s favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame. Ver. 35. The king’ s favour is toward a wise servant.] As was Pharaoh’ s toward Joseph, Solomon’ s toward Jeroboam, Darius’ s toward Daniel, Henry VIII’ s toward Cromwell, whom, for his wisdom and faithfulness, he raised from a mean man (son to a blacksmith), to be first master of his jewel house, then baron of Oakham in Rutlandshire, then Knight of the Garter, Earl of Essex, lord great chamberlain; and lastly, ordained him his vicar general. And if kings do thus, what will not the King of kings do for every faithful and wise servant of his, whom he hath made "ruler over his household"; "Verily, I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods, yea, partaker of his master’ s joy." But his wrath is against him that causeth shame.] Such as was Jeroboam at length, Haman, Shebna, Ziba, Gehazi, Ahithophel, Judas, &c. It fares with many princes, as it doth with the creature called millepede, which the more feet it hath, the slower it goeth. Corrupt servants hinder the course of justice, that it cannot run down as a torrent. This reflects upon their lords, and at length fails heavily upon themselves. Speed.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
Verse 35. The king's favour is toward a wise servant] The king should have an intelligent man for his minister; a man of deep sense, sound judgment, and of a feeling, merciful disposition. He who has not the former will plunge the nation into difficulties; and he who has not the latter will embark her in disastrous wars. Most wars are occasioned by bad ministers, men of blood, who cannot be happy but in endeavouring to unchain the spirit of discord. Let every humane heart pray, Lord, scatter thou the people who delight in war! Amen - so be it. Selah!
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 14:35
35. causeth shame] Or, doeth shamefully, R.V. marg. Comp. Proverbs 10:5.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:35
35. Wise — Discreet. His wrath — Indignation. Causeth shame — Or, acteth shamefully.
Sermons on Proverbs 14:35
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Baptism (Part 1) by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, Peter asks Jesus if his parable is meant for all or just for them. Jesus responds by discussing the qualities of a faithful and wise servant who will be rewarded by |
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The Second Coming (Voice Only) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher passionately warns against indulging in worldly entertainment and urges the audience to be mindful of what they consume. He emphasizes that this life i |
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What Is Our Attitude Toward His Coming? by Stephen Kaung | This sermon focuses on the anticipation of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for His coming. It delves into the significance of bein |
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The Heavy Responsibility of Sheep-Feeding by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the heavy responsibility of preaching, highlighting that true shepherds must address the specific needs of their congregation rather than delivering generic m |
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The Parables of Jesus by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on various aspects of entering God's Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of good soil for spiritual growth, the need to be properly clothed with Christ's righte |
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The Olivet Discourse Part 2a – Christendom: the Household Servant by C.H. Mackintosh | C.H. Mackintosh preaches on the importance of true ministry in the Church of God, emphasizing that all ministry is divine in its source, nature, and principles, appointed by God al |
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Unto You Who Once Knew the Truth. by John Banks | The preacher delves into the significance of being faithful, emphasizing the importance of trustworthiness and reliability in fulfilling duties and responsibilities. The sermon exp |